Bayfront Tower to Undergo Major Modernization Project

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“Grande Dame” of St. Petersburg to Receive $10 Million Facelift

St. Petersburg, FL (PRWEB)January 03, 2014

Stately Bayfront Tower, a well-known anchor in Downtown St. Petersburg and widely reputed as a “Grande Dame” of the area, is undergoing a major two-year renovation project. Beginning January 3, visitors and residents can expect to see a 450-foot crane - one of the largest in the Southeastern United States- in front of the 35-year old community through January 19, 2014.

Building improvements will include a new roof, replacement and modernization of emergency generators, boilers, fans and designated air conditioning systems. Life safety enhancements will provide improvements to egress systems and fire alarms, as well as the expansion of the automatic sprinkler system for the parking garage and lobby.

Aesthetic improvements to the building include replacing the aluminum screen around the third through the seventh floors, new entrance canopy, enhanced lighting and accessibility to the breezeway, rearrangement and renewal of the lobby and reconstruction of the fitness center and social areas. The building’s 29th floor pool deck will receive additional vision panels that will expand its 360 degree views. Additionally, the building will receive a fresh coat of paint in a new color scheme. These improvements are designed to raise Bayfront Tower’s profile and enhance its property values in the downtown residential building market.

Throughout the coming year, the balcony railings will be changed to modern glass ones and many of the old window assemblies will be converted to hurricane-hardened, floor-to-ceiling windows. By year’s end, over a third of the building’s windows are expected to undergo this conversion.

“The owners of the Association have voted overwhelmingly in favor of these improvements,” said Ted Mallin, President of the Board for Bayfront Tower. “The Board was able to take advantage of very low interest rates and secured a loan from Bank United to provide capital, which, when combined with reserve contribution, will finance the entire improvement over a ten-year period.”

Creative Contractors is leading the project as construction manager, Wannemacher Jensen Architects leads the design of the aesthetic and common areas, Griner Engineering will serve as consultants on mechanical and electrical issues and C. B Goldsmith Architects on the roof. FirstService Residential, the building’s management company, will provide the Board with support with respect to project management

About Bayfront Towers

Built in 1976, Bayfront Tower has the distinction of being the first high-rise building in the Downtown St. Petersburg area. The 29-story building boasts 255 residential and 13 commercial units. More community specific information can be found at http://www.bftower.com.